Fire destroys garage in Guilford

GUILFORD, Maine — An early morning fire broke out inside the garage of a Guilford residence, but firefighters responded in enough time to save the house from significant damage.

Guilford Assistant Fire Chief Gary Grant said a passer-by spotted flames coming from a home on Water Street shortly before 3 a.m. Saturday. Crews from Guilford, Sangerville, Dover-Foxcroft and Cambridge were called and knocked down the fire before it spread to the home.

“The house was built with firebreaks [or gaps in the structure], which really did a superb job,” Grant said Saturday afternoon.

The garage was totaled, but the ranch-style house suffered only water and smoke damage, he said.

No one was home when the fire broke out, although the homeowners were notified. Grant declined to release their names.

The assistant chief also said a cause and origin had not been determined, and he did not address whether or not the blaze was considered suspicious.

“The [State] Fire Marshal’s Office has been called and they have been out there, but that’s all I can say,” he said.

Attempts to reach a fire marshal spokesperson Saturday were unsuccessful.